And they are off......

Phil and Davis left for Nashville today to meet the other members of the 147 Million Orphan team & Hearts to Honduras team. Packing became humurous over the last few days. There isn't much you really need in a 3rd world country but all the same, we managed to pack each back right to the weight limit.  They have to be at the airport at 4 a.m. and leave for Honduras at 6 a.m. They should arrive in Honduras around noon (2 p.m. our time)!

Thank you for writing letters and coming to pray on Sunday night.  I discovered today that many of you did not receive my e-mail inviting you to pray with us on Sunday. I don't know what happened other than it's lost somewhere in cyber world and probably because we had 2 cars brake down in 10 days, the A/C go out and over 1/2 our 7 family members have been sick with the stomach bug for more than a week.  I have managed to dodge it and pray I have missed it all together.  I have included some pictures from Sunday.  It was a very special evening. It meant the world to our family especially Davis and Phil. They took their letters on their trip.They are tucked away in Davis' back pack.

Sharon Moye was Davis', Lily and Carter's Kindergarten teacher. It was so cool to hear her wisdom and to charge Davis to use his gifts. The notebook and ball she brought him home from her mission trip to Guatemala remains in his bedside table from 4 years ago. My children adore her. She helped plant a seed in their hearts to go and serve!!!

The younger ones were a bit distracted by the tree, mosquitos and popsicles. 

Mike & Sharon Moye led our prayer time.  Sharon is my discipleship leader. She and Mike have mentored and shepherded our family since Davis entered her Kindergarten class in Dec, 2008. 

Phil, Christopher (our foster son) and Davis. Gods' timing.... who knew we would be loving on 2 orphans here while Phil and Davis went to serve orphans in Honduras?  HIS timing is perfect because I think it was the very thing that helped Davis prepare. He has a different self confidence about him since they arrived in our home. He's quick to jump in and play or help dry a tear or two. He's also pretty quick to engage the boys in a game of ball!

The prayer and fellowship time meant the world to these two. 

Xavier (our foster son) and Brett Pittman.  Xavier spent most of the prayer time hopping from open arm to open arm, eating popsicles and trying to run out in the street.  Brett grabbed him giving us time to finish our prayers. 

My post is actually moving backwards. I have started with todya's departure and moved back to Sunday night's prayer time. Now I am sharing some shots from our fundraising.  About a year ago, Phil and I started discussing the idea of he and Davis going on a mission trip. Many of you have asked why we chose 147 Million Orphans and Hearts 2 Honduras.  We spent  a great deal of time reading on mission trips. Our goal was to be family friendly and the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways. Timing was another priority. We wanted a trip that gave Davis time to rest after summer break began and plenty of time to rest before school start back. We found exactly what we were looking for in September! We began fundraising in November and finished in early June.  We hosted Hot Dogs for Honduras, Hot Chocolate for Honduras, Hotcakes for Honduras, sold wrist bands, a garage sale in Lexington, NC given by Phil's sister Angie, a letter campaign and 31 Gifts Party hosted by Jennifer Stephens. I can honestly say I am glad we had to fund raise for this trip. It was very time consuming and challenging to manage at times but ohhhhh so worth it.  It gave us the chance to connect with old friends to get to know new friends better and to share the mission of this amazing trip to Honduras. Many of you have taken the time to encourage and be the hands and feet in this journey. We are blessed and so grateful.  We have purchased a puzzle of the world and each of your names will be placed on a puzzle piece.  There are 600 pieces and 100 of them belong to this trip.  We will continue to fill those pieces with trips to come as well as those of you stepping in to help us love on Xavier and Christopher!  Thank you and enjoy the pictures of our fundraising.

Lily and her friend, Ava, had a hot cocoa stand one Sunday afternoon in January. 

Lily running the table at Hotcakes for Honduras. 

How did he get so tall? It was tough to say good bye to him today. I have never been away from him for more than a night or two since he was born!  He giggled when he found the stash of sour patch kids I snuck in his back pack.  I craved them like crazy when I was pregnant with Lily and Carter.  Even though he was 1 and 2 and the time, he has hung on to that little connection. 

Jim Sencen served our family by being the pacake artist at Hotcakes for Honduras. The kids loved all his creations.  When he retired for the day, Kelly Pittman decided to step up to the griddle and give it a try.  Per usual, we giggled until we cried. 

Thirty One Gifts party.  Those muffins were devoured once all the kids started arriving at lunch time. The table was  pretty for long enough to make the moms feel a little like a girl.  It was the morning after Lily's dance recital. It was a very busy time for everyone with end of the school year activities but I fought back many tears as I watched our house fill with buyers to support my guys!  

Sweet friends from Hot Dogs from Honduras. 

Phil and Davis hope to find time each day to journal a little something and hopefully share some pictures.  We decided quality photography was a low priority for the trip so they will get a few shots on Phil's phone. You can also keep up with pictures from their work on Facebook (search for Hearts2Honduras). If you can't find it, I can share it on your page.

You can join us in praying for a smooth trip tomorrow.  This is Davis' first time flying. We have heard the airport in Honduras is mayhem. Davis and Phil have both been fighting a stomach bug for a week. We are praying for strength and continued healing.  Pray for all the families serving with 147/Hearts2Honduras this week and the families stateside. Thank you for loving us.


In the name of the ONE who says to "ACT justly, LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly..."